9 Day Itinerary
Day 1 - Sat: Arrive Vienna
Land in Vienna and reclaim your luggage. Then you will be
met and transferred to your hotel. After you check in you will have the
remainder of the day to rest or explore the city center a little on your own. In
the evening meet your fellow travelers and your tour director at a welcome
dinner.
(D)
Day 2 - Sun: Viennese Sightseeing
This morning take a tour around the city center to
see the most important and imposing buildings. Visit the Hofburg Palace, the
huge Habsburg residential complex that was the seat of the Austro-Hungarian
Empire for over 640 years. Pass the elegant Belvedere Palace, the Prater
Amusement Park and the UN buildings. Also see St. Stephen's Cathedral with its
intricately-patterned tile roof and other vivid reminders of the city's imperial
history. The afternoon and evening are at leisure. Perhaps spend some time in
the Museum Quarter, a complex of many collections open to the public. You may
like to walk or take a tram ride along the Ringstrasse where Habsburg rulers
erected many important and highly decorated buildings in the 19th century. In
the evening you can admire the beautifully floodlit architecture.
(BB)
Day 3 - Mon: Hungary & Budapest
Today travel east through the Austrian countryside and
cross the border to Hungary. Continue through the lovely scenery of the
Transdanubian region. Arrive in Budapest in time to relax before dinner.
(BB,D)
Day 4 - Tue: Budapest Touring
Situated on the opposite banks of the Danube River, the former cities of Buda and Pest
are linked by a series of graceful bridges, the most famous of which is the
Chain Bridge. On a sightseeing tour this morning see lovely views of the
outstanding Parliament buildings sited on the banks of the Danube. Cross to the
hilly region of Buda to view the Royal Palace and the Castle Hill area, the
Fisherman's Bastion and nearby Matthias Church. Stop on Gellert Hill to see the
impressive Citadel and admire wonderful views across the Danube to Pest. Return
to Pest to see the Heroes' Square with its imposing Millennium Monument. The
rest of the day is at leisure. You may like to visit the Museum of Fine Arts or
the Art Gallery, both located near Heroes' Square or walk along Vaci Street with
its elegant shops and cafés.
(BB)
Day 5 - Wed: Slovakia & Cracow
Your drive today winds through the lovely hills and
countryside of Slovakia, past the Tatra Mountains and into the great
agricultural plains of Poland to Cracow. This was Poland's capital city up until
400 years ago and today it is the country's intellectual and cultural center
with many art exhibitions, concerts and performances taking place throughout the
city. After checking into your hotel enjoy a relaxing dinner with your tour
group.
(BB, D)
Day 6 - Thu: Cracow Monuments
Start your sightseeing tour with a visit to Wawel
Hill, important symbol of Polish independence. There has been a castle on this
hill since the beginning of recorded history and over the centuries many
buildings of different architectural styles have been added. View the exterior
of the present Royal Castle, built in a variety of styles. Visit the Royal
Cathedral to view the impressive monuments to the many Polish rulers, political
figures, writers and artists who have been entombed there. Enjoy a walking tour
of the Old Town where you will visit the Main Market Square, the Renaissance
Cloth Hall and St. Mary's Church. The afternoon is free for a stroll around the
city.
(BB)
Day 7 - Fri: Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial & Warsaw
This morning visit one
of the most somber reminders of World War II at Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial,
world-famous location for war crimes. Originally built as a soldiers' camp, the
brick buildings have been preserved as a memorial to the thousands who passed
through its gates. Later journey to Czestochowa to visit Yasna Gora Monastery,
known for the age-darkened picture of the Virgin Mary popularly called the
"Black Madonna." The Byzantine figure dates from the 13th century and in 1434 it
was painted virtually anew due to extensive damage caused by vandalism. Many
legends abound as to the origin of the figure and its miraculous properties.
Drive through the Polish countryside to arrive in the late afternoon in Warsaw,
Poland's capital city located on the banks of the Vistula River. The
700-year-old capital is a symbol of the Polish nationhood and the will to
survive against great odds.
(BB, D)
Day 8 - Sat: Discover Warsaw
A sightseeing tour includes a drive along the famous
Royal Route from the magnificent Castle Square to Lazienki Park and Palace, the
summer residence of the last king of Poland. Pass the Palace of Science and
Culture (called the "Wedding Cake"), the Saxon Gardens, the Tomb of the Unknown
Soldier, the Monument to the Warsaw Ghetto Heroes and the Barbican. Continue on
foot through the Old Town, Old Market Square and St. John's Cathedral. The Old
Town is both a physical and symbolic expression of the city's spirit and
determination to come back from the brink of annihilation at the end of World
War II. The rest of the day is free to relax, shop or stroll through the city,
especially the Old Town, where you can find many other attractions and a number
of cafés, bars and restaurants. Or you may choose to enjoy an optional late
afternoon Chopin concert.
(BB)
Day 9 - Sun: Depart Warsaw
After breakfast, transfer to Warsaw Airport for your departure flight.
(BB)
BB: Buffet Breakfast; D: Dinner